Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet 2003 Review

What we liked
>> Seamless power of the V8
>> Whisper quiet cabin ambience
>> Funky seat belt feeders

Not so much
>> V6 weakest link of strong package
>> Delayed tiptronic gearchanges
>> Overly firm steering weight

OVERVIEW
The new cabriolet is significantly changed and improved from the previous model, which sold from 1998 to 2003. More that 115,000 CLK cabriolets of that generation have been sold worldwide, Australia accounted for around 1500.

The CLK coupe and cabriolet fit between the C-class and E-class sedans in terms of overall size; 4.6m tip to toe, it's 112mm longer than C-class and 180mm shorter than E-class.

Australian buyers have a choice of four models; CLK240 with 125kW, 2.6-litre V6; CLK320 with 160kW, 3.2-litre V6; CLK500 with 225kW, 5.0-litre V8; and the high performance CLK55 AMG with 270kW, naturally aspirated 5.4-litre V8.

Mercedes-Benz Australia launched the Cabrio range with the CLK320 ($129,900) and CLK500 ($154,900), the AMG version ($204,900) and basic CLK240 (no price yet, expect $104,900) will join before the end of the year.

FEATURES
All CLK Cabriolets except for the AMG version are available in two trim levels; Elegance and Avantgarde. Elegance gets 7-spoke alloys, grey radiator grille, green-tinted glass and interior woodgrain trim. The Avantgarde gets 5-spoke alloys, black radiator grille, blue-tinted glass and interior aluminium trim.

The devil with more expensive motorcars is in the detail. Mercedes-Benz CLK cabriolet includes rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights, stereo and mobile phone aerials integrated into rear windscreen and bootlid, and rear headrests which can be dropped at the push of a dash-mounted button.

Optional extras on some models include Distronic intelligent cruise control, Keyless-go, Parktronic, Comand and Lignuatronic voice recognition.

The three-layered, electric soft top, which can be opened and closed by remote control in 20 seconds, is a major improvement over the previous model, and pays off in noise reduction. It's made up of more than 830 parts, and is available in black, blue or grey outer covering.

A centrally mounted display screen provides stereo controls, CD player (single in-dash standard, 6-stack optional), telephone controls and satellite navigation. A TV is optional, as is Linguatronic, which allows voice command access to the above features.

The CLk cabriolet comes with a comprehensive trip computer, controlled via switches on the steering boss, and revealing everything from fuel economy to radio stations and satnav instructions.

MECHANICAL
The CLK Cabriolet range of engines start with a 2.6-litre V6 producing 125kW of power and end with the stonking 5.4-litre V8 - in non-supercharged form - producing 270kW of power. All engines are said to improve fuel economy by up to 7 percent over previous engines, while increasing the available power and torque.

Mercedes-Benz Australia is understood to be evaluating other engines for inclusion in the Australian lineup at a later date. These include the 2.0-litre, supercharged, four-cylinder (120kW) and 3.7-litre V6 (180kW) first launched in the 2003 S-class. Expect a decision on these models in 2004/5, perhaps as part of a mid-cycle facelift.

Australian versions weigh between 1700kg and 1820kg depending on the model. All ride on independent, four-wheel suspension, now three-link in place of the previous double wishbone setup.

Sports suspension with firmer springs and a 15mm ride height reduction is fitted standard to the CLK55 AMG. V6 models are fitted with 16inch alloy wheels and tyres, the CLK500 gets 17-inchers, the CLK55AMG 18inch. The CLk cabriolet does not have a spare tyre, instead a tyre repair kit is provided, though we suspect buyers will keep the Road Assist phone number handy.

COMFORT
The CLK Cabriolet is longer and wider than the model it replaces, which is said to improve interior space. Rear knee room is up 44mm, rear elbow room up 30mm and front headroom up 23mm. Modifications to the front seats aid rear seat entry; a single lever tilts the front seat backrest forward, slides the seat squab and folds the headrest out of the way.

The driver can easily achieve a good driving position as the seat adjusts eight ways, the steering wheel tilts and telescopes. Electric adjustment is fitted on all models to both front seats. All windows are electric, as are the heated mirrors. The front seats have heaters for cold winter mornings, and climate control air-conditioning is standard across the range. Air vents located behind the front centre armrest feed air to the rear passengers.

One nifty feature of the CLK Cabriolet is the belt feeder, which extends the front seat belts for easier acquisition when the ignition is fired.

For the first time the CLK cabriolet has two contoured seats in the rear, providing comfortable seating and good lateral support for the cheap seats. Cubby holes for belt latches and a stowage tray between the rear seats are useful touches.

SAFETY
Active - Antilock brakes are standard, discs all round, along with electronic stability program. This regulates wheel-spin and wheel-speed to keep the car tracking true. There is an 'ESP-off' button for those times you'd rather do without, though in true Mercedes-Benz fashion it doesn't really switch off, just increases the activation threshold.

Brake Assist and Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) are standard on all models.

Passive - Two adaptive front airbags and front side airbags are standard, rear side airbags available as an option. The CLK Cabriolet also features sensor-controlled rollover bars, which burst out from behind the rear seat headrests to reduce rollover injuries. Seat belt pretensioners, and belt-force limiters are fitted in all four seating positions. Mercedes-Benz claims the body structure is made from high strength steel alloys which maximises body rigidity and safety.

COMPETITORS
Obvious 4-seat competitors for the CLK Cabriolet include BMW's 3 Series convertible and the Audi A4 Cabriolet, though neither have a V8 engine in their range. Mercedes-Benz carries a price premium over both the BMW and Audi range, making up for the extra cost with better 3yr retained values and added features.

ON THE ROAD
CarPoint tested the 3.2-litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8 at the launch; the six is certainly adequate - though not outstanding - at hauling the CLK's 1730kg bulk.

The five speed automatic transmission is fitted standard to all models, and is one of the better, smoother gearboxes on the market. It changes gears easily and seamlessly when left to its own devices, though the more sporting driver may not like the transmission's delayed reaction when in tiptronic mode.

Mercedes-Benz's 5.0-litre V8 engine is a very impressive powerplant. No doubt about it, these are some of the hardest working kiloWatts in the business, and easily able to satisfy your need for speed. Mercedes claims the CLK500 can accelerate from rest to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds, a full two seconds quicker than the 3.2-litre V6.

Fuel economy figures on both tested models was not possible on the launch, Mercedes claims a combined city/hwy cycle of 10.4litres/100km for the V6 and 11.6litres/100km for the V8. Trip computer readings on the drive read slightly higher than this, but we were driving twisting mountain roads, and slightly quicker than normal.

Cabin quietness is fantastic for a soft-top convertible. The multi-layered soft top keeps the interior almost as quiet as the hard top coupe version, and allows easy conversation even at highway speeds with rain pounding the exterior.

Ride is what you'd expect from a luxury convertible, supple, controlled and capable. The Cabriolet does not quite have the dynamic edge of its coupe cousin, but cutting the roof off does come with a performance cost, though minimal in this case.